How to Get to the Yorkshire Dales
One of the beauties of the Yorkshire Dales is its accessibility. Leeds is one of Britain’s major transport hubs and is well served by rail, road and air, and is only around half an hour from Lower Wharfedale. Leeds/Bradford airport is even nearer to the Dales. Its entirely possible to be driving on a remote and isolated country road within an hour of getting off a flight or exiting a busy motorway.
By Plane
Leeds Bradford airport is ideally placed to access The Yorkshire Dales. Despite its name, the airport is actually situated in Yeadon, near Otley in Lower Wharfedale and you can drive straight out of the airport and be in open country in minutes without going anywhere near either City. Indeed, if prevailing winds dictate that your flight will approach from the North, your first view of the Dales may be the surrounding moorland dotted with tiny white specks (sheep). Leeds Bradford is a major hub for Jet2.com and Ryanair who are all low cost airlines serving many destinations in Europe. BA have a number of daily flights to London, and KLM fly to Amsterdam which can provide onward connections to virtually anywhere in the world. Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz all have outlets at the airport for car rental.
By train
Leeds and York are the main rail hubs in the area, with countless connections to Cities across the UK. All the major car rental companies have outlets in both Cities, though none have offices actually at the station so arrange rental before you arrive.
By Road
From Western England and Western Scotland – the M6 Junction 36 intersects with the A65 South of Kendal and provides access to the Western Dales. Junction 37 intersects with the A684 West of Sedbergh, giving access to Wensleydale. Junction 38 leads to the A685 which leads to Swaledale.
From North East England/ Eastern Scotland – the A1 gives access to Swaledale via the Richmond turn off and A6108, and Wensleydale by leaving the road at Leeming Bar and taking the A684 to Bedale.
From York – the A59 travels from York, past Harrogate and right across Lower Wharfedale and Nidderdale and also gives access to the A1 for Northern Dales.
From Hull and the North Sea Ferry port – the M62 Links to the A1. Head North as described above to access the Dales via either the A59, A684 or A6108
From Southern and South East England – If taking the M1, follow that to join the A1 North East of Leeds. Or travel up the A1. Then head North as described above to access the Dales via either the A59, A684 or A6108.
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